Reading · England
Party Fish and Chip Van for Sonning Common events
We bring a fish and chip van for your party across Sonning Common and Reading, frying fresh at your venue and serving from the hatch.
- Birthday parties
- Get-togethers with old friends
- Leaving parties
Fresh fish and chips in Sonning Common
About our party fish and chip van in Sonning Common
A chip van turns a party into an occasion without anyone being stuck in the kitchen. The van parks, the fryers go on and the food goes out hot. For retirement parties and family reunions, we’ll put together a menu of curry sauce, haddock and chips and sausage and chips for your guests.
In a place like Sonning Common, a party at home is typically the easiest option. Let us know how the van reaches the house, and we will do the rest. We serve from the hatch, so every portion is hot, and service is quick once we’re up and running.
Planning for dietary needs
Most events have a few guests with dietary needs. To plan for them:
- Ask about dietary needs on the invitation
- Confirm allergies by email
- Check the street’s parking rules
- Tell us how many children are coming
Put bins and napkins near the hatch.
A sign by the hatch with the menu speeds things up.
Prices and what affects them
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- How many people are eating
- The menu and how many choices
- Service time
- Parking and the way in
Compared with a sit-down meal, a fish and chip van is often good value, as there’s no kitchen to hire and nothing to wash up. Ask us for a quote.
Details that help
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- Expected numbers
- Allergies and diets you know about
- The date and time of the event
- Where you’d like the van to go
Each quote is put together for your party. Start with your date, and we will check availability right away.
Parties in Sonning Common: homes, halls and local tips
Sonning Common is about 3 miles north of Caversham, in Reading. Around Sonning Common, we park wherever there’s level, firm ground. We take the van to 34 places across Reading.
A christening at The Church of Christ the King followed by fish and chips on the drive is a simple, popular plan. Within reach of Sonning Common are historic houses such as Greys Court (2.2 miles north-east) and Mapledurham House (3.2 miles south-west). If you are hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on catering vans first.
For parties in RG4 and RG9, we just need to know where the van can park. Streets in the area include Wood Lane, Green Lane and Woodbury Close, and the van can serve a party on any of them with a suitable parking spot. Neighbouring places where we serve parties include Peppard Hill (1 mile north-west), Rotherfield Peppard (1 mile north), Kidmore End (1 mile south-west), Kingwood Common (1 mile north-west) and Shepherd's Green (2 miles north). We also serve nearby towns such as Caversham (3 miles south), Norcot (4 miles south-west), West Reading (4 miles south), Tilehurst Within (5 miles south-west), Shinfield (8 miles south) and Arborfield Garrison (10 miles south). Being one of Reading’s larger places, Sonning Common has plenty of venues, halls and workplaces.
Other landmarks nearby include Frazer Nash Archives (3.8 miles east) and Battle Hospital (4.1 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Sonning Hill and Warburg Nature Reserve.
- Nearby schools include Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge (0.5 miles south-west) and The Warwick School (0.5 miles south-west)
- Nearby, you’ll find Hare & Hounds pub (under half a mile north)
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
Ordering in for a crowd means long waits. The van cooks right there. Many fish and chip vans set a minimum, since getting the van there costs the same however many eat. Ask us what applies to your party.
What you get with us
- A menu almost everyone likes
- A clear quote before booking
- Bookings across Reading, including Sonning Common
- All the chip-shop extras
Space, access and the venue
Every site is different, so we will ask about yours when you get in touch. Generally, we look for:
- The site’s agreement to a catering van
- A clear way in, with no low branches, cables or narrow gates
- Flat, firm ground for the van
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Sausage and chips
- Cod and chips
- Curry sauce
- Pie and chips
- Gravy
- Haddock and chips
- Chips
- Mushy peas
Takeaway run or book a van?
Weighing up a takeaway order against booking a van? Consider your numbers and how fresh you want it. We are happy to send a quote so you can compare.
Doing the food yourself saves money, but the host ends up running around. Booking the van means hot food and no stress.
Why choose party fish and chip van in Sonning Common?
People book a chip van for parties because nobody has to cook. And it is fun.
Big or small, the van works the same way. Typical bookings include:
- Street parties
- Garden get-togethers
- Engagement parties
- Kids’ birthday parties
For party guests on the train, the closest railway station is Henley-On-Thames station, roughly 3.7 miles east of the centre.
What to look for in a quote
- How allergens are handled
- The deposit and payment dates
- The minimum number of meals or minimum spend
- Exactly what’s included in the price
How the day works
It is a relaxed, well-organised set-up. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up where we have agreed, and cook and serve without fuss. In Sonning Common, a June party has light until about 9:25pm, while a late-September one is dark by about 7:10pm. Fairy lights by the van help once it gets dark.
- Send us your date, numbers and address.
- We check the route in and send a price.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- Fish goes into the batter and straight into the fryer, to order.
- We serve hot from the hatch and pack up when we are done.
How to prepare
- Make sure the van can get in
- Plan a bit of cover near the hatch if rain is likely
- Pick a flat, firm place for the van to park
Getting a price
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your party, and we’ll come back with availability and a quote.
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Sonning Common: your questions answered
Which station is closest to Sonning Common?
The closest is Henley-On-Thames station, roughly 3.7 miles away.
Can you serve after a service at The Church of Christ the King?
Yes, at a nearby hall, home or venue with somewhere for the van. Churches rarely have space for a catering van, so the food is generally elsewhere. Tell us where you will gather.
Can you serve children?
Yes. Children normally love sausage and chips. Include children in your numbers.
Do you do anything other than fish?
We serve sausages and pies as well as fish. Let us know about any other dietary needs and we will tell you what we can offer.
Do you bring everything you need?
We bring the van and everything we need to cook. You provide a suitable spot and permission to park.
When should we book for a summer party?
Summer weekends go first. Contact us with your date.
What if the weather’s bad?
Rain doesn’t stop the fryers: the cooking is inside the van. Guests will appreciate cover near the hatch.
Do you cover Sonning Common?
Yes, we do. We serve events in Sonning Common and across Reading. Tell us your date and we will check availability.
Also near Sonning Common
Also in Sonning Common
Planners, venues and businesses
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Sonning Common? A fish and chip van draws people in and almost everyone likes it. Give us the details and we will suggest how it could work.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will talk you through the process. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on parking and timings.
- Fried fresh to order in the van at your event
- Cod, haddock and chips, sausages and pies
- The van comes to you: homes, venues, workplaces and fields
- Served at the time you choose, from the hatch